Born
in the Kingdom of Naples in 1386, John of Capistrano was a most
talented youth. He studied law in Perugia, was appointed governor of the
city in 1412 and married the daughter of a wealthy citizen.
Imprisoned
during hostilities between Perugia and the Malatesta, he had a vision
of St. Francis of Assisi inviting him to join his order and resolved to
dedicate his life entirely to God. His marriage not being consummated,
John obtained a dispensation and joined the Franciscans in Perugia. He
was ordained a priest in 1420, and made extraordinary progress in his
theological studies, while leading a life of extreme austerity. His
master was St. Bernardine of Siena for whom he bore a deep veneration
and affection.
Gifted with oratory, he preached extensively throughout the length and breadth of Italy attracting huge crowds wherever he went. He also helped St. Bernardine of Siena with reforms needed within the Franciscan Order. He was especially interested in helping the Franciscan nuns of St. Colette and with the Third Order Franciscans.
Frequently
employed as ambassador by the Holy See, his missions on behalf of the
Pope took him all over Europe. As Apostolic Nuncio to Austria, he helped
Emperor Frederick III in his fight against the Hussite heresy and was
appointed Inquisitor. He wrote many books, mainly combating the heresies
of his day.
When Constantinople fell to the Turks, John of Capistrano preached a crusade in Hungary. At the age of seventy he personally led a wing of the army in the battle of Belgrade. Both his prayer and example were vital factors in the lifting of the siege. The infection spread by the decomposing bodies left unburied around the city ultimately took his life within a couple of months. He died peacefully at Villach on October 23, 1456.
He was beatified in 1694 and canonized in 1724.
Imprisoned
during hostilities between Perugia and the Malatesta, he had a vision
of St. Francis of Assisi inviting him to join his order and resolved to
dedicate his life entirely to God. His marriage not being consummated,
John obtained a dispensation and joined the Franciscans in Perugia. He
was ordained a priest in 1420, and made extraordinary progress in his
theological studies, while leading a life of extreme austerity. His
master was St. Bernardine of Siena for whom he bore a deep veneration
and affection.Gifted with oratory, he preached extensively throughout the length and breadth of Italy attracting huge crowds wherever he went. He also helped St. Bernardine of Siena with reforms needed within the Franciscan Order. He was especially interested in helping the Franciscan nuns of St. Colette and with the Third Order Franciscans.
Frequently
employed as ambassador by the Holy See, his missions on behalf of the
Pope took him all over Europe. As Apostolic Nuncio to Austria, he helped
Emperor Frederick III in his fight against the Hussite heresy and was
appointed Inquisitor. He wrote many books, mainly combating the heresies
of his day.When Constantinople fell to the Turks, John of Capistrano preached a crusade in Hungary. At the age of seventy he personally led a wing of the army in the battle of Belgrade. Both his prayer and example were vital factors in the lifting of the siege. The infection spread by the decomposing bodies left unburied around the city ultimately took his life within a couple of months. He died peacefully at Villach on October 23, 1456.
He was beatified in 1694 and canonized in 1724.
No comments:
Post a Comment